Report: UCLA's Mora meets with Washington officials

Mora called UW coach his 'dream job' in 2007

On the same day Steve Sarkisian returned to his roots to become head coach at Southern Cal, early indications are the University of Washington is ready to go the nostalgic route in its search for Sarkisian's replacement.

UCLA coach Jim Mora Jr. is scheduled to be in Seattle this week for an unrelated matter. According to multiple reports Monday, Mora was already in the area. Washington's 247 Sports site, Realdawg.com, reported that school officials including athletic director Scott Woodward discussed the Huskies' coaching job with Mora Monday.

In 2007, Mora told KJR Radio that Washington was his "dream job," a statement that took many off guard considering Mora was head coach of the Atlanta Falcons at the time.

Mora is an unabashed UW guy, coaching as a graduate assistant under late, legendary coach Don James after wearing the school colors as a walk-on from 1980-83.

Woodward followed Mora on the KJR Radio program in '07 and didn't hide his interest in Mora as a coaching candidate.

"No matter what, Jim Mora is an important of Husky football and he's an important part of this program, and Jim and I will talk no matter what whether he's the head football coach of the Seahawks or whatever he's doing. And we're going to talk about Husky football. That is what I hope for. We haven't talked yet, but I would love to talk to him."

The question now is whether Mora, 52, would return to Seattle. His contract includes a buyout of more than $2 million if he leaves before Jan. 16, 2014.

He had two successful seasons at UCLA (18-8) in his return to coaching after a failed one-year stint as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. The Bruins won nine games in 2013, including Saturday's victory over USC that ended Ed Orgeron's run as interim head coach.

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